Public hearings into proposed changes to federal electoral boundaries in Northwestern Ontario are underway.
A session was held Monday night in Sioux Lookout and Kenora MP Eric Melillo was in attendance.
Melillo says he respects Elections Canada’s goal of increasing Indigenous representation and voting power in our region but notes the changes don’t make sense.
“One of my greatest concerns is that Northern Ontario is losing a seat in this redistribution proposal. I think that we are already vastly underrepresented in the House of Commons and I think that we need to maintain the seats that we have.”
The second in-person hearing is tonight (Tuesday) in Kenora.
Melillo says two meetings aren’t enough.
“All parties have actually been calling for a longer consultation period. I’m happy that Elections Canada actually extended the deadline for written submissions by about a month. So there is still time for those but I do believe that there should be more hearings.”
The Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario is suggesting the riding of Thunder Bay-Rainy River take in a portion of the Kenora riding that includes the cities of Dryden and Kenora and the township of Ignace.
This would create the new riding of Kenora-Thunder Bay/Rainy River.
The remaining portion of the current Kenora riding, including Sioux Lookout, Ear Falls and Red Lake, would fall under a new riding called Kiiwetinoong-Mushkegowuk.
It would be carved out of other northern Ontario ridings and stretch from the Manitoba boundary to the Quebec boundary.
Several organizations, municipalities and political leaders from across the region have spoken out against the proposal, citing concerns it will reduce representation.
Many have also taken issue with the lack of access.
Meantime, Eric Melillo has delivered his weekly update to constituents:
It was a busy week in Ottawa, as the House of Commons debated Bill C-29 the implementation of the National Council for Reconciliation, and had an emergency debate on Hurricane Fiona and the damage done on Canada’s East Coast.
Ending the Carbon Tax
This past week my Conservative colleagues and I put forth an Opposition Motion calling on the government to cancel their scheduled tripling of the carbon tax on April 1st. With the price of basic goods rising and staggering high gas prices across the country, now is not the time for any new tax increases.
Sadly, the Liberals and NDP voted against this and without further action April 1st the carbon tax will increase causing gas prices to skyrocket across the country once again.
My colleagues and I will continue to fight against all upcoming scheduled tax increases. In a time where cost of living is at record highs, government should be making life more affordable not raising taxes on hardworking Canadians.
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
Friday, September 29th marked the second annual National Truth and Reconciliation Day. I appreciated the opportunity to participate in the Walk for Wenjack alongside students from Lillian Berg Elementary School, and join in at events the Kenora Harbourfront.
I hope everyone took some time to reflect on Canada’s past, and how we can work together to advance reconciliation.
Working for You
If you’re planning to be in Ottawa, and are interested in attending Question Period or taking a tour of Parliament please let me know and my office can help reserve Question Period and tour tickets.
As always, if there is anything my office can assist you with, please call me at 807-223-2182 (Dryden) or 807-468-2170 (Kenora) or email me at eric.melillo@parl.gc.ca.
Sincerely,
Eric Melillo
Member of Parliament, Kenora Riding
